CELEBRATING ASQUITH XAVIER

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: october 2023 :: RMTnews 18 Rail worker Asquith Xavier, the guard who broke the colour bar at Euston station with the help of his union nearly 60 years ago, has been celebrated with the naming of an Avanti West Coast train in his honour. The colour bar at Euston station was finally defeated on August 15, 1966 when the West Indian guard was finally allowed to start work after initially being refused a job. This relatively small victory actually led to changes in the law such as the inclusion of a ban on discrimination in the workplace in the new Race Relations Act. Asquith’s daughter Maria Magdalena-Xavier unveiled the plaque in front of family, friends and fellow rail workers including Asquith’s friend retired former RMT president Tony Donaghey. “My father would have been proud that we are all here today to honour him not just for himself but for all those who suffer discrimination. “This represents his own journey to justice,” said Maria before an emotionally charged unveiling. Speaking at the unveiling RMT assistant general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that the union was proud that its predecessor the National Union of Railwaymen backed Asquith in his fight. “We have come a long way since then and my union stands for equality across society which still needs to be championed by everyone,” he said. Designers at Avanti West Coast consulted with Asquith’s family on the train nameplate which captures him at work as a train guard. Asquith is also honoured with a plaque at Euston and another at Chatham station, the town where he and his family came to reside after leaving London. Asquith Xavier came to Britain from Dominica as part of the Windrush generation. He had started work for British Railways in 1956 as a porter, working his way up to rail guard at Marylebone station. However, following the closure of the Marylebone main line as part of the Beeching rail cuts, guards were no longer required and were being transferred to stations like Euston. However, Mr Xavier, an experienced guard, received a letter telling him that he had been rejected for a job at Euston. Mr Xavier showed the letter to local NUR branch secretary Jimmy Prendergast. Jimmy was a life-long anti- fascist who had fought in Spain with the International Brigades and had served in CELEBRATING ASQUITH XAVIER Train named after National Union of Railwaymen member Asquith Xavier whose struggle against racism changed the law HONOUR: RMT assistant general secretary Eddie Dempsey with Asquith's daughter Maria, former RMT president Tony Donaghey and other family members